House Resolution No. by Representative Muscarello directs the Louisiana Judicial Council to conduct a comprehensive study on court reporter per-page transcription rates and the potential for digital court reporting as an alternative to traditional methods. The resolution highlights the growing shortage of court reporters in Louisiana, exacerbated by factors such as retirement, uncompetitive salaries, and a decline in new certifications. This shortage has resulted in significant delays in transcription services and increased backlogs in both criminal and civil court dockets, prompting the need for an evaluation of current practices and potential solutions.

The study will include an assessment of per-page transcription rates across various court types, an analysis of the current use and effectiveness of digital court reporting, and a review of how other states have successfully implemented digital recording technologies. The Louisiana Judicial Council is tasked with providing recommendations for standardizing transcription rates and exploring legislative changes that could facilitate the use of digital court reporting without requiring a certified court reporter to be present during proceedings. A report detailing the findings and recommendations is to be submitted by March 1, 2026, to relevant state officials and legislative committees.